Roland MC-909 Sampling Groovebox

The MC-909 is Roland's answer to the demands of serious producers who
want a workstation that seamlessly integrates audio and MIDI. Based on
the XV-series synthesis engine with sampling RAM expandable up to 272MB
(16MB standard), the MC-909 has evolved beyond the original concept of a
Groovebox. This professional workstation boasts 800 new Patches, 64
Rhythm Sets and 693 all-new waveforms, with SRX expansion. And with
professional sequencing, onboard effects, mastering tools and an
ultra-intuitive interface-plus a USB port for exchanging samples and
sequences with a PC, the MC-909 is all you need to take your music from
conception to completion.

The MC-909 is more than a Groovebox with sampling. Audio and MIDI can be
integrated, synthesized and sequenced together within a single,
easy-to-use environment. Sample some phrases and sequence them alongside
MIDI tracks as the MC-909 synchronizes your loops automatically. Samples
can even be used as raw waveforms in the synthesizer section, opening up
a world of sonic possibilities. The MC-909's big LCD screen makes it
easy to locate sounds, sample audio, edit waveforms and sequence MIDI
arrangements. Nearly all major parameters can be accessed via knobs,
sliders and buttons, while the dedicated Part Mixer makes mixing a snap.
You also get two of Roland's most popular performance controllers:
Turntable Emulation makes it possible to adjust pitch and time
independently for MIDI or audio (thanks to some innovative realtime
time-stretching), while Twin D Beams use an infrared beam of light for
triggering samples, tweaking filters and more.

On the inside is a powerful 4-Tone synthesis engine with stereo
waveforms per Tone and 64-voice polyphony. Yet the MC-909 is still as
easy to program as an analog synth-thanks to a generous supply of knobs,
buttons and sliders. The MC-909 also comes with 16MB of sample memory,
expandable up to 272MB using optional DIMMs. Audio can be recorded via
the stereo analog inputs or digitally using the S/PDIF input. You can
even import .WAV/AIFF files from a computer via USB. Samples can be
processed in a variety of ways. Using Wave Edit, a waveform can be
truncated and looped while viewing it graphically on the LCD. The
Time-stretch function, on the other hand, makes it possible to change a
loop's tempo without affecting pitch. Or, if you prefer to create your
own loops, simply "slice" up a loop with Chop. You can trigger samples
from the velocity-sensitive pads or via an external MIDI keyboard.

The MC-909's 16-track sequencer has been improved in many ways with 480
ticks-per-quarter-note resolution. Patterns can also be up to 998 measures and a new
version of Roland's popular TR recording method (similar to "Piano Roll"
editing) makes it possible to view several notes at once using the pads
and LCD. The MC-909's sequencer is fully compatible with Standard MIDI
Files, allowing you to import and export SMF sequences via the built-in
USB port. Of course, the MC-909 comes with hundreds of
patterns-programmed by professional producers-that fully exploit the new
sounds like UK hard-house, trance and the latest "broken-beat" hip-hop
and R&B. And it's all expandable via SRX-Series wave expansion boards.

There's no need for outboard effects with the MC-909. There's a 24-bit
reverb that can be applied to each sequencer part, a new dedicated
compressor, and two independent multi-effects (MFX) for the new filter
algorithms-including a 36dB filter and amazing Step Filter-plus
tempo-synced delay (up to four seconds), phasing, distortion and other
proprietary effects like Lo-Fi, Slicer and COSM Amp Modeling. There's
also a special Mastering processor which includes 3-band compression/EQ for
creating "final" mixes.

The MC-909 ships with a dance-oriented ROM containing everything from
house pianos and organs to edgy techno hoovers and stabs-plus favorites
like the JP-8000 "SuperSaw" waveform and
distorted TB-303 sounds. There are also plenty
of basses, pads and sound effects perfect for any track, along with a
complete assortment of drum kits. New sounds can be added by installing
an optional SRX-Series Wave Expansion Board. The SRX-05 "Supreme Dance"
expansion has special Patches that can only be accessed on the MC-909.
The SmartMedia slot allows for optional memory cards that can be used to
store User data such as samples, patches, rhythm sets and patterns.
Other professional features include S/PDIF digital I/O, six analog
outputs and stereo analog inputs, and a new V-LINK function for
integrating audio and video-in performance (with the Edirol DV-7PR
Digital Video Workstation, sold separately). The MC-909 has been used by
Überzone.

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